Welcome to the official discussion topic of the United Shops of Scratch (the USS), which is a network of around twenty shops and three subsidiaries as of April 27, 2018. The USS offers shop assistance in endorsement, order completion, marketing/promotion, and representation.

The USS is open to partnerships, which follow the line of “if one union fails, one will support the other.” That motto has been used in six partnerships, and five out of those seven are ongoing (and the most recent started February 28, 2018.)

We have reached the peak of 50 shops and about five organizations in summer 2017, however inactivity kicked many of those shops and organizations out.

The USS is lead by the Head Department (acting as an Executive branch), but it is not an absolute dictatorship. Permanent leaders Austinato and monkeytrooper hold the Owner and Co-Owner ranks while TimeLordPlanet and 78ch3 hold the President and VP positions, respectively. jromagnoli is Secretary and hellounicorns2 is Justice.

I: StartEarly DaysOn October 13, 2016, the great TSF (The Shop Federation) closed. TSF was a large inspiration for the USS, structure and concept-wise. The collapse and closure of TSF resulted in the creation of numerous smaller unions, some small and some large. The USS remained as a medium-sized union until around 2017, when the USS began gaining speedy momentum.

Austinato launched the idea of the USS, meeting with experienced shop member monkeytooper, and forming the USS (on this same topic) on October 27, 2016. The first member was Austinato's SmartShop, a smaller shop that closed within months and serves as the indirect predecessor to Austinato's Art Market. Two other founding shops, TacoCatProuductions' Magical Market and Perfection Graphics exist, with Perfection Graphics being removed in 2017 alongside SmartShop. These two shop's closures leave TacoCatProuductions' shop as the remaining “founding shop.” It is expected that TacoCatProuductions' Magical Market may get removed for inactivity soon.

Failed MergerWithin weeks of the USS's founding, leader Austinato pushed for a merger with the Scratch Union (to retain the USS name), which was owned by Monkey_Legend, another TSF member. An hour of debating followed the announcement of an aimed merger, where talks resulted in the first partnership of USS history.

While the USS did not acquire or merge with the SU, the concept of shop-collaboration cooperation was later incorporated into the USS through the establishment of subsidiaries, which to this day, have not surpassed the count of five total. The USS also formed a new motto for partnerships which is only one sentence long; “if a shop begins to fail, the other will support the failing one.”

Slower ExpansionThe USS continued to experience slow expansion up until March 2017, where the USS quickly gained members and subsidiaries, helping the USS reach its 50 shop and five subsidiary count.

II: ExpansionThis section will be finished in the future.

III: ReformThis section will be finished in the future.

IV: Growth MaximumThe USS reached an eventful point in the month of June 2017. On June 2, the USS Base (an attempted statistics system) released its first findings. On June 15, the former watcher position was filled. On June 19, the limit of 50 shops and five subsidiaries was introduced, in which the 50 shop limit was met three days later.

A restructuring on July 17, 2017, resulted in the establishment of the President position, in which -Anvard- won on August 1, 2017. He took an oath and officially took his position the following day.

Austinato became inactive from around September 2017 to February 2018. He returned, starting the reconstruction and redesign of the USS on February 27, 2018.

V: Reform of 2018When USS Main Owner Austinato returned from five-month inactivity, he enacted a large activity check and planned out the simplification of the USS, to allow it to work more easily and productively. The activity check ended on March 6, removing around 70% of shops and clearing many inactive users out of their positions. Two users, BGMead and -Anvard-, were exempted from the activity check, and since they hold important positions, have until March 14, 2018, to mark themselves as active.

Simplification began on March 7 and 8, when positions were re-aligned and re-focused. Subsidiaries were renamed to organizations. Applications were re-opened. On March 9, Austinato disbanded ISOOC, an inter-shop order completing program. He also later re-enacted USS BASE and scheduled an event in summer.

The USS Guidelines were created alongside the establishment of a special election from March 19 to March 26, 2018 (later postponed to the first week of April.) The vote resulted in a tie, and a tiebreaker was scheduled for April 25 to May 2, 2018. The acting President and VP won, and secured a term until June/July 2018.

On July 11, Austinato founded a small group named the "Special Interests Group of the USS for Reform", where a select group of people discussed programs that the USS can introduce to revive membership. On July 26, ideas set forward by the group were posted. Two days later, the studio was transformed into a workspace for those who are interested in the new programs.

Austinato's Resignation as Senior Co-LeaderOn October 5, 2018, Austinato resigned as senior co-leader of the United Shops of Scratch. On October 27, -XxX-MEOW-XxX- won the election for deciding the new USS leader. The transition process is ongoing.

Owner: TacoCatProuductionsShop Name: ☢✉TᗩᑕOᑕᗩTᑭᖇOᑌᗪᑌᑕTIOᑎ'ᔕ ᗰᗩGIᑕᗩᒪ ᗰᗩᖇKET™ NOW HIRING✉☢Shop Description: Welcome to the ☢✉TᗩᑕOᑕᗩTᑭᖇOᑌᗪᑌᑕTIOᑎ'ᔕ ᗰᗩGIᑕᗩᒪ ᗰᗩᖇKET™ NOW HIRING✉☢! We will get a variety of different order types done within 4 days! Shop Logo:Shop Motto: We will never deny a guest, not even the most ridiculous request. - Mr. Krabs

Owner: TacoCatProuductionsShop Name: ☢✉TᗩᑕOᑕᗩTᑭᖇOᑌᗪᑌᑕTIOᑎ'ᔕ ᗰᗩGIᑕᗩᒪ ᗰᗩᖇKET™ NOW HIRING✉☢Shop Description: Welcome to the ☢✉TᗩᑕOᑕᗩTᑭᖇOᑌᗪᑌᑕTIOᑎ'ᔕ ᗰᗩGIᑕᗩᒪ ᗰᗩᖇKET™ NOW HIRING✉☢! We will get a variety of different order types done within 4 days! Shop Logo:Shop Motto: We will never deny a guest, not even the most ridiculous request. - Mr. Krabs

Approved, welcome to The United Shops of Scratch! Please enjoy your stay!

TacoCatProuductions wrote:

Alos,I may not have seen it, but is there a form to become a judge?

Sorry, but we have not set up applications for judges yet, but once we set it up, I'll contact you.

USS Membership & Removal Agreement1.1 - Applying for becoming a USS member requires a proper application by a member of the named shop and approval by one of the USS Justices.1.2 - Applications will be automatically declined if it is written by an individual that does not officially represent the shop (not listed in OP), even if the shop owner/representatives approve of the person.1.3 - Shop ownership is identified as the OP (Original Poster.) If an official transfer of ownership occurs, please contact us immediately.1.4 - Shop membership may be revoked if the shop is inactive, fails to comply to the Scratch Community Guidelines, AND/OR our rules.2. Official Rules2.1 - Do not join any other federations without approval of the Owner or Co-Owner.*2.2 - Do not be rude to anyone inside or outside of the federation.2.3 - You acknowledge that these rules may be expanded or modified in the future.3. Freedoms3.1 - You may merge with another shop. Please do so with the consent of the other shop owner(s), and the consent of the Owner of the USS.**3.2 - You may openly deal with other shops to complete orders.4. Hierarchy Regulation4.1 - Justices should only complete decisions without any bias. If you complain about bias, please contact us immediately.4.2 - The owner/co-owner shall not overrule without consent of the Justices.4.3 - Moderators may not be a Justice at the same time. 5. Events not described here5.1 - Any events not described here which may occur and requires proper addressing, will be added here.

*USS has control over USS/Shop relations and can monitor internal activity but other external shop activity that is not to do with USS is beyond our power. This includes the joining of other Unions/Federations

**Once again this is not for USS to decide and while we should be informed about the change it not for us to decide or consent the merge

USS Membership & Removal Agreement2.1 - Do not join any other federations without approval of the Owner or Co-Owner.*3. Freedoms3.1 - You may merge with another shop. Please do so with the consent of the other shop owner(s), and the consent of the Owner of the USS.**

*USS may moderate USS/shop relations and can monitor internal activity concerning shops, but any activity outside the USS (such as joining other federations) we do not moderate.**Even though we don't have the power to restrict you from doing so, we ask for you to inform us for organizational reasons.

Please take these into consideration

MT

Alright, as for the proposed change to 2.1, I approve of. For 3.1, I approve of as well. These are reasonable and help us with moderating activity of USS shops.

If anyone opposes to these new laws, please say so immediately. If opposition goes through, we shall have an official vote.

USS Membership & Removal Agreement2.1 - Do not join any other federations without approval of the Owner or Co-Owner.*3. Freedoms3.1 - You may merge with another shop. Please do so with the consent of the other shop owner(s), and the consent of the Owner of the USS.**

*USS may moderate USS/shop relations and can monitor internal activity concerning shops, but any activity outside the USS (such as joining other federations) we do not moderate.**Even though we don't have the power to restrict you from doing so, we ask for you to inform us for organizational reasons.

Please take these into consideration

MT

Alright, as for the proposed change to 2.1, I approve of. For 3.1, I approve of as well. These are reasonable and help us with moderating activity of USS shops.

If anyone opposes to these new laws, please say so immediately. If opposition goes through, we shall have an official vote.

USS Membership & Removal Agreement2.1 - Do not join any other federations without approval of the Owner or Co-Owner.*3. Freedoms3.1 - You may merge with another shop. Please do so with the consent of the other shop owner(s), and the consent of the Owner of the USS.**

*USS may moderate USS/shop relations and can monitor internal activity concerning shops, but any activity outside the USS (such as joining other federations) we do not moderate.**Even though we don't have the power to restrict you from doing so, we ask for you to inform us for organizational reasons.

Law Proposition #2 - Austinato, Law Opposition & Vote

3. Freedoms3.3 - If more than two shops officially oppose a new law proposition, an official vote shall be conducted on whether (“YES”) or not (“NO”) that law should be enacted in USS.(NOTE)

(NOTE: I need help on whether the vote shall be between representatives or between shops.)

USS Membership & Removal Agreement2.1 - Do not join any other federations without approval of the Owner or Co-Owner.*3. Freedoms3.1 - You may merge with another shop. Please do so with the consent of the other shop owner(s), and the consent of the Owner of the USS.**

*USS may moderate USS/shop relations and can monitor internal activity concerning shops, but any activity outside the USS (such as joining other federations) we do not moderate.**Even though we don't have the power to restrict you from doing so, we ask for you to inform us for organizational reasons.

Law Proposition #2 - Austinato, Law Opposition & Vote

3. Freedoms3.3 - If more than two shops officially oppose a new law proposition, an official vote shall be conducted on whether (“YES”) or not (“NO”) that law should be enacted in USS.(NOTE)

(NOTE: I need help on whether the vote shall be between representatives or between shops.)

Thanks for reading,Austinato

I understand. I am currently in Scratch Union\For now, the voting will be through the shop. I will notify you if I would like to change.

I understand. I am currently in Scratch UnionFor now, the voting will be through the shop. I will notify you if I would like to change.

I officially approve of this interchange, so you have not broken a rule.

As for voting through the shop, it's a decision for all shops - not just yours. When elections occur, I was asking if all representatives participate or just simply shop owners. The only cons to representative-based votes is that representatives from the same shop may cluster up and take up most of the votes.